Rate of graft retear is higher in over-the-top superior capsular reconstruction for massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears with subscapularis tear.

PURPOSE

To compare side-to-side superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) with over-the-top SCR in terms of functional outcomes, pain relief and allograft survival rates.

METHODS

Patients who had undergone arthroscopic dermal allograft SCR for massive irreparable rotator cuff tears and clinical follow-up for ≥2 years were recruited. All patients underwent postoperative assessment with routine radiographic analysis for acromiohumeral distances, ultrasound imaging 1 and 3 months after SCR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at least 12 months after SCR. The outcome measures were visual analogue scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Constant and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores.

RESULTS

SCR was performed in 56 patients including side-to-side SCR in 32 and over-the-top SCR in 24. Postoperative MRI showed that the grafts were intact in 46 patients (82.1%; 26 who underwent side-to-side SCR and 20 who underwent over-the-top SCR). The proportion of nonhealing grafts in the over-the-top group was significantly higher with concomitant subscapularis tears (60% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.02). VAS scores and functional outcomes improved postoperatively in both groups and postoperative VAS (1.4 vs. 1.7; n.s.), Constant (74.8 vs. 76.0; n.s.), mean ASES (87.4 vs. 89.1; n.s.) and mean SANE (81.7 vs. 84.3; n.s.) scores did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSION

For massive rotator cuff tears, over-the-top and side-to-side SCR achieve similar pain relief and functional improvement, and the rate of healing allografts is high. However, over-the-top SCR is not recommended for massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears with repairable subscapularis tendon tears due to a higher nonhealing rate.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.